Rumors of CM Punk WWE’s return have increased in recent weeks.
Photo credit: AEW
CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 despite widespread speculation during the build-up. Punk performed after the men’s WarGames main event.
WWE added to the drama, rumors and innuendo by teasing that Randy Orton would not be at Survivor Series. In a backstage segment, Sami Zayn told Jey Uso that Randy Orton wasn’t here yet, prompting loud chants of “CM Punk” from the Allstate Arena. During the men’s WarGames match, fans chanted Punk. In the end, Orton showed up for a WWE return that was jeopardized by wrestling gossip. Still, Orton received a massive reaction to his long-awaited return after 18 months.
With CM Punk long gone from AEW, speculation about his WWE return reached a fever pitch, leading to Survivor Series in Punk’s hometown of Chicago. Fans have been analyzing every aspect of CM Punk’s potential return and the rumors have only intensified thanks to a series of WWE Easter Eggs.
Seth Rollins has used terms like “Best in the World” and “Cry Me a River” in recent commercials. During a Raw broadcast in September, shortly after Punk’s Brawl In with Jack Perry, Cody Rhodes said of Jey Uso, “You’re dealing with someone who’s been given a lot of second chances.” He’s one of the best in the world, him deserves a second chance and I think we should give him the time to show us that he has changed.” Becky Lynch has used cheeky terms like “catalyst for change”.
Then there is Shinsuke Nakamura.
Shinsuke Nakamura acted as WWE’s personal go-between for CM Punk speculation. It’s almost as if the promotion is using Nakamura to gauge fan interest in CM Punk’s return. Since Punk’s violent departure from AEW, Nakamura has used the Go To Sleep (Punk’s finisher) in many of his matches. Although the move did not initially garner much response from fans, fans recently chanted “CM Punk” during Nakamura’s match against Akira Tozawa on the November 6 broadcast of Raw. Nakamura has cut cryptic promos and challenged a mysterious opponent in recent vignettes. With Survivor Series set to begin in Chicago, many fans were hoping that CM Punk would be the mystery opponent.
Although the stage appears to be set for CM Punk’s return, reports suggest otherwise. In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), Dave Meltzer reiterated that there is no evidence of CM Punk returning. Meltzer, an infamous waffle maker, added that anything is possible.
“Okay guys, I asked…. Anyone I can, in any way I can. Nothing has changed. “One of two things we will know when Survivor Series airs,” a WWE insider wrote @WrestleVotes. “Either it was the biggest surprise in the company’s history, OR it just wasn’t meant to be.”
WWE created a monster by co-opting rumors of CM Punk’s return with references to WWE programming. So much so that WWE pre-announced Randy Orton for Survivor Series so fans in Chicago wouldn’t think the mysterious WarGames partner was CM Punk.
The CM Punk hype became so great that current and former WWE Superstars answered questions about Punk’s possible return.
“I mean, there are so many eyes on WWE television right now,” Johnny Gargano told the Battleground Podcast (h/t Wrestling Inc). “Of course every little bit helps. I’ve already mentioned how Logan Paul took the US Championship around the world and gained new eyes on the product. So at the end of the day, I feel like,” he added, “whatever is going to get more attention on WWE television is the best possible move. Whoever they are, whoever they bring in, whatever attention they bring, I’m all for it!”
“One thing I learned in my time in WWE is that no one knows nothing,” said “Top Dolla” AJ Francis. “Nobody knows what’s going on week after week on the shows – well, let me rephrase that – none of the talent knows week after week on the shows,” the former Hit Row member said. “Like every now and then… I mean, obviously Roman knows. Roman will know, they will keep Roman updated. Roman is “the guy”, he is the reason the company is doing so well at the moment. So he knows, but 99% of the roster doesn’t know what they’re doing next week, let alone at Survivor Series.”
Punk has been a trending topic on Twitter all week, and WWE had all the evidence it needed to prove that Punk remains a star for a large portion of its audience. In the end, the rumors seemed to point to a return for CM Punk in Chicago.
Punk has returned after the WarGames main event and all feels good in the wrestling world.
Currently.